Mexico’s Greta Espinoza, left, vies for the ball with Lady Andrade of Colombia, during the women’s football final of the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games, in, Veracruz, Mexico, on Nov. 27, 2014. (Ronaldo Schemidt, AFP via Getty Images)

The Costa Rica and Colombia women’s national soccer teams will play a friendly match at 6 p.m. May 31 at The Regency Athletic Complex at Metro State, the school announced Thursday.

The match is in preparation for the 2015 FIFA World Cup, which begins June 6 in Canada. Costa Rica is in Group E with Brazil, Korea Republic and Spain. Colombia is in Group F with France, England and Mexico.

The Boulder pub-based amateur team won a penalty kick shootout 4-2 over the BYU Cougars of the Premier Development League (PDL) Wednesday night in Provo, Utah, to advance to the second round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The match ended in a scoreless draw and after 30 minutes of extra time failed to produce a winner, the contest went into penalty kicks. Despite being outshot 24-12, Harpo’s FC emerged with the victory, thanks to a big save by goalkeeper Zac Gibbens on BYU’s second penalty kick attempt. BYU’s third penalty shot sailed wide. Meanwhile, Harpo’s FC were clinical from the spot, converting all four attempts in the win.

With the victory, Harpo’s FC advance to the second round of the annual single-elimination tournament where it will face Colorado Springs Switchback FC of the United Soccer League (USL) on May 20 at 7 p.m. at Sand Creek Stadium in Colorado Springs. The Switchbacks are a professional team in the third tier of soccer in the U.S. The team Harpo’s FC defeated, BYU Cougars, plays in the fourth-tier PDL, considered the top amateur level in the country. Read more…

“This stadium needs an exorcism,” Mastroeni said when asked what he was thinking when Rapids midfielder Lucas Pittinari’s potential game-winning header caromed off the post and out with seconds left in stoppage time.

The Rapids’ Carlos Alvarez lines up a shot but misses against New York City FC on opening day at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, March 21, 2015. (Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)

The Colorado Rapids have sent midfielder Carlos Alvarez on loan to USL affiliate Charlotte Independence, the team announced Friday.

The 24-year-old from Los Angeles has been trying to return from an ankle injury suffered against NYCFC on March 21. He played 31 minutes as a sub in the match, but hasn’t appeared for Colorado since.

“With his return to health we feel that gaining meaningful minutes in USL will allow him to build on the productive preseason he had,” Brian Crookham, the Rapids senior director of soccer development, said in a statement.

Colorado Rapids midfielder Marcelo Sarvas has been suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer.

The MLS Disciplinary committee announced Sarvas was suspended through the Rapids’ April 29 match against New York Red Bulls for “violent conduct that endangered the safety of an opponent” in Colorado’s 3-1 loss to Seattle last week.

In the 40th minute, the Rapids’ Brazilian midfielder stomped on Dempsey while the U.S. captain was on the ground. Dempsey appears to grab for Sarvas’ leg with his right hand. and then Sarvas’ foot comes down on Demspey’s groin.

Dempsey stayed down after the incident and play was stopped while he received treatment. Sarvas was not called for a foul on the play. It came moments after Sarvas kicked a ball off Dempsey as he fell to the grass, which led the two to exchange words.

The Earthquakes’ Andreas Gorlitz, right, and the Rapids’ Charles Eloundou go for the ball at Buck Shaw Stadium on May 7, 2014 in Santa Clara, Calif. (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

The Colorado Rapids announced Wednesday forward Charles Eloundou has been recalled from USL affiliate Charlotte Independence.

The Cameroonian striker has played 228 minutes in three starts with Charlotte. The 20-year-old adds depth to the Rapids attacking corps, something especially needed as they prepare to play three games in nine days, beginning Friday against Dallas at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

“We wanted to give him the opportunity to get his match sharpness and he has justified our faith since he has been there,” Paul Bravo, the Rapids’ vice president of soccer operations, said in a statement. “He has earned the right to come back and be a part of the group here.”

Daniel was first introduced to soccer at age 6 while living in Düsseldorf, West Germany. He played youth soccer in West Germany until age 9, and then in Seattle, where he is originally from. He works as the day breaking news editor and also contributes on the Rapids beat.